International

Flared gusset bags still going strong, not going away

If this post seems like deja vu, you're not entirely wrong. Over seven months ago, we wrote about how the flared gusset, made popular by Phoebe Philo at Celine and the brand's now-inescapable Luggage Totes and Trapeze Bags, had turned into a full-fledged trend of its own. As spring bags flooded into stores, I couldn't help but marvel at how many bags are still embracing the look, particularly now that Luggage Totes themselves are no longer as difficult to get as they once were. Over at Business of Fashion, they noticed the exact same phenomenon.

In the BOF piece, Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo even goes so far as to favorably compare Celine to Hermes, and when a fashion retail heavyweight like Fargo uses those words, they're not to be taken lightly. As Celine's gussets get seemingly wider and wider, expect to see the brand's influence in the realm of handbag design widen as well. Below, we've rounded up some of the best new options on the market for spring that will get you on board with the trend without requiring that you fly to New York to visit the Celine Madison Avenue mothership.

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I have a Fendi 2Jours which could be interpreted as a gusset bag, but the sides are always tucked in…..so it just looks like a lady like structured bag. I never really got on board with the trend, the Luggage Tote always looks like a face with its tongue sticking out to me.

Anamaria Litvin

classic is always fun!, we can’t let it go away

Louch

Never been a fan and none of these convince me to become one. That MBMJ looks weird – like two bags stuck together – the contrast in colours is too strong.

ReneeO

Just bought the Valentino Rockstud with the flared gusset. Its so beautiful but the shoulder strap is attached to the outside of the gusset same as the Milly bag in first photo. It looks really bad when you throw the bag on your shoulder. I’ve never noticed this before. Does this bother anyone else? The bag kind of collapses, looks terrible. I may take the bag back as I really don’t like that. Torn, it’s such a beautiful bag and I really want it.